A multi-million pound investment will be made to improve Cambridgeshire's transport network, it was revealed yesterday (June 28).

The Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has agreed to make available £2.25 million to boost the region's transport links.

Its board is making the cash available to commission feasibility studies and business cases into key strategic schemes including the dualling of the A47, the A47 to M11 extension and the upgrading of the A10.

Charles Roberts, portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure said the Combined Authority was committed to improving transport connections and delivering sustainable growth across the area.

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He added: "Devolution has given the Combined Authority the power to consider bold and innovative solutions to overcome long-standing infrastructure needs and we will work hard to ensure that the most effective solutions are thoroughly investigated to ensure they can be delivered."

Approval has also been granted for the submission of bids to the Department for Transport's (DfT) National Productivity Investment Fund to help finance four regional transport schemes.

Funds would support junction 18 improvements on the A47, a package of junction improvements in March to address congestion problems, improvements to junctions providing access to the Wisbech South development area, and the A605 Whittlesey access Phase 2.

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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor James Palmer said: "If the bids for funding are successful, the money will collectively support the delivery of around 7,000 new homes, the creation of around 3,000 new jobs and will help address traffic congestion.

"Transport infrastructure improvements are a key element of both my 100 day plan and for the future development of the region, and today’s meeting has demonstrated that the Combined Authority members are all committed to working together to bring forward much needed development to boost the future economic growth of our region."

In January 2017, the DfT allocated £185 million from the National Productivity Investment Fund to local highways authorities to upgrade local roads in 2017/18 of which Cambridgeshire was allocated £2.89 million and Peterborough £0.77 million.